The cocaine free base is then filtered, rinsed, and dried.
Lime or ammonia is reintroduced to the solution, which processes the coca paste into free base. Potassium permanganate also oxidizes the cocaine paste, which gives cocaine its white appearance. Next, potassium permanganate is added to filter out cinnamoylcocaine and other impurities.
Sulfuric acid is added again, which dissolves the cocaine paste. Lime or ammonia is added next, which causes cocaine paste to form. Then, sulfuric acid is added to the mixture to extract cocaine, which produces a liquid solution of cocaine sulfate. The wax is separated by heating and cooling the kerosene mixture. The kerosene mixture that remains after extracting the leaf contains coca alkaloids and wax from the coca leaves. Growers crush and stir raw coca leaves with water, lime, and kerosene and extract the coca leaf. Some of the harmful chemicals used in the production of cocaine include: Coca leaves are processed into coca paste, cocaine base, and finally, cocaine hydrochloride. How Cocaine Is MadeĬocaine production begins with coca plants native to South America, which is where the majority of cocaine is produced.
Cocaine powder can be further processed into crack cocaine, a cheaper but more potent alternative that can be smoked. The leaves are processed with various toxic chemicals into a white powder, known as cocaine.Ĭocaine powder is packaged in kilogram bricks before it is trafficked throughout the world.